Experience of Complications of Hip Arthroplasty

Efficacy and Safety of Pericapsular Nerve Group Block (PENG) in Hip Surgery Under General Anaesthesia: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: The pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block is a novel ultrasound-guided regional technique that may provide analgesia to patients undergoing hip surgery. It has been extensively studied in recent years, but the evidence of superiority over other regional anaesthetic techniques is inconclusive. This review aimed to compare outcomes of the PENG block in patients undergoing hip surgery with standard techniques under general anaesthesia. Methods: PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were followed throughout the preparation of this review. Randomised trials from electronic databases were included. We investigated postoperative pain scores, required analgesia, and adverse events associated with the block. Results: Ten studies satisfied the criteria to be included in the meta-analysis. Data from 646 patients were analysed, in which 321 patients received PENG block and 325 were included in the comparative groups. Pain scores at rest, at 24 h (p = 0.04) and 48 h (p = 0.02) were lower in patients who had received the PENG block. This group also required a smaller amount of opioids at 24 h after the procedure, but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.53); while a similar non-significant reduction in opioid consumption was also observed at 48 h. Although PENG seems to delay the time to the first analgesic request, we failed to prove a statistically significant difference (p = 0.83). Patient satisfaction also seems to be better in the PENG group, but not in a statistically significant way. No important side effects related to the block were described. Conclusions: PENG block for major hip surgery offers better postoperative analgesia, with possibly less opioid consumption. It seems to prolong the time to the first analgesic but does not significantly affect common side effects of anaesthesia/analgesia such as PONV or duration of hospital stay.

Total Hip Arthroplasty Complications in Sickle Cell Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Microvascular occlusions caused by sickle-shaped erythrocytes in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) can lead to increased intraoperative and postoperative complications during total hip arthroplasty (THA). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the overall rate of complications following THA in patients with SCD and to identify the predictors of these complications including the surgical approach. Methods: The search was conducted across the grey literature, Google Scholar, and seven databases: Scopus, MEDLINE Central/PubMed, ProQuest, SciELO, SAGE, and Web of Science. All observational studies reporting the proportional THA complications in SCD were included. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale quality assessment tool was used to assess the quality of the studies. The random effect model was applied to estimate the pooled outcomes. A sub-group analysis for the different approaches was performed. A sensitivity analysis and meta-regression were used to explain heterogeneity and to identify the THA complication predictors. Results: Of 3230 citations, only 23 studies were eligible for the meta-analysis. The pooled proportion of total primary THA complications in patients with SCD was 42% (95% CI: 30-56%, I2 = 95%). The sub-group analysis highlighted the anterolateral approach as the approach accompanied with the least complications. The meta-regression revealed that the anterolateral approach decreases the complications significantly, -28.67 (95%CI, -56.45--0.88, p = 0.044), while the number of hips increased the complications by 0.43 (95%CI, 0.30-0.57, p < 0.001). Male gender, age, lateral approach, and HbSS non-significantly affect the THA complications in SCD 52.05, 0.18, 6.06, and 55.78, respectively. The pooled proportions for an SCD crisis 9% (95%CI, 5-14%, I2 = 61%), dislocation 4% (95%CI: 2-7%, I2 = 66%), aseptic loosening 12% (95%CI, 7-20%, I2 = 91%), revision 6% (3-11, I2 = 92%), heterotopic ossification 12% (95%CI, 3-35%, I2 = 95%), and prosthetic joint infection (PJI) 6% (95%CI, 3-11%, I2 = 92%). The most fitted model of meta-regression illustrated that HbSS significantly increases PJI, 0.05 (95%CI: 0.02-0.08, p = 0.009), and male gender and age non-significantly increase PJI, 2.28 (95%CI: -4.99-13.56, p = 0.311) and 0.001 (95%CI: -0.27-0.27, p = 0.990), respectively. Meanwhile, the anterolateral, lateral, and posterior approaches non-significantly decrease PJI, -3.55, -0.92, and -1.27, respectively. The pooled proportion for a sickle cell disease crisis after revision was 16% (95%CI: 6-36%, I2 = 0) and for aseptic loosening after revision, it was 24% (95%CI: 12-43%, I2 = 0). Conclusions: This study revealed the high rate of complications in patients with SCD and highlighted that the anterolateral approach was associated with the lowest rate of complications. Furthermore, this study illustrated that homozygous (HbSS) individuals are more susceptible to prosthetic joint infection.

Understanding the 30-day mortality burden after revision total hip arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a challenging procedure that burdens the healthcare system. Despite being associated with worse outcomes relative to its primary counterpart, postoperative mortality after revision THA remains ill-defined. The present study aimed to (1) establish the overall 30-day mortality rate after revision THA and (2) explore the mortality rate stratified by age, comorbidity burden, and aseptic versus septic failure.

METHODS

The American College of Surgeons - National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database was retrospectively reviewed for all patients who underwent revision THA from 2011 to 2019. A total of 23,501 patients were identified and grouped into mortality (n = 161) and mortality-free (n = 23,340) cohorts. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and aseptic/septic failure were evaluated.

RESULTS

The overall 30-day mortality was 0.69%. The mortality rate by age group (normalised per 1000 patients) was 0 (18-39 years [Y]), 0.67 (40-49 Y), 1.10 (50-59 Y), 2.58 (60-69 Y), 6.15 (70-79 Y) 19.32 (80-89 Y), and 58.22 (90+Y) (p < 0.001). The mortality rate by ASA classification (normalised per 1000 patients) was 0 (ASA I), 1.47 (ASA II), 6.94 (ASA III), 45.42 (ASA IV), and 200 (ASA V) (p < 0.001). The 30-day mortality rate for the septic and aseptic cohorts was 1.03% and 0.65%, respectively (p = 0.038). CCI scores (p < 0.001), diabetes (p < 0.001), systematic sepsis (p < 0.001), poor functional status (p < 0.001), BMI < 24.9 kg/m2 (p < 0.001), and dirty/infected wounds (p < 0.001) were all associated with increased mortality risk.

CONCLUSIONS

1 in 145 patients will suffer mortality during the 30 days after revision THA. PJI-related revision THA was associated with 1.5-fold increase in 30-day mortality rate compared to its aseptic counterpart. Certain patient determinants and baseline comorbidities, as measured by ASA and CCI scores, were associated with higher 30-day mortality rates. Therefore, it is imperative to identify such risk factors and implement perioperative patient optimisation pathways to mitigate the risk among vulnerable patients.

Acetabular Total Hip Arthroplasty Revision: A Summary of Operative Factors, Outcomes, and Comparison of Approaches

BACKGROUND

Revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) presents a greater risk to patients than primary THA, and surgical approach may impact outcomes. This study aimed to summarize acetabular revisions at our institution and to compare outcomes between direct anterior and posterior revision THA.

METHODS

A series of 379 acetabular revision THAs performed from January 2010 through August 2022 was retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative factors were summarized for all revisions and compared between direct anterior and posterior revision THA.

RESULTS

The average time to acetabular revision THA was 10 years (range, 0.04 to 44.1), with mechanical failure (36.7%) and metallosis (25.6%) being the most prevalent reasons for revision. No differences in age, body mass index, or sex were noted between groups. Anterior revision patients had a significantly shorter length of stay (2.2 versus 3.2 days, P = .003) and rate of discharge to a skilled nursing facility (7.5 versus 25.2%, P = .008). In the 90-day postoperative period, 9.2% of patients returned to the emergency department (n = 35) and twelve patients (3.2%) experienced a dislocation. There were 13.2% (n = 50) of patients having a rerevision during the follow-up period with a significant difference between anterior and posterior approaches (3.8 versus 14.7%, respectively, P = .049).

CONCLUSION

This study provides some evidence that the anterior approach may be protective against skilled nursing facility discharge and rerevision and contributes to decreased lengths of stay. We recommend surgeons select the surgical approach for revision THA based on clinical preferences and patient factors.

Does Preoperative Antiviral Treatment for Hepatitis C Decrease Risk of Complications After Total Hip Arthroplasty? A Matched Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is associated with increased complication risk after elective arthroplasty. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of HCV and prearthroplasty antiviral treatment on complications following total hip arthroplasty (THA).

METHODS

A retrospective matched cohort study was conducted using an administrative claims database. In total, 6,883 HCV patients were matched 1:3 with 20,694 noninfected controls, and 920 HCV patients with antiviral treatment before THA (treated HCV) were matched 1:4 with 3,820 HCV patients without treatment (untreated HCV). Rates of 90-day medical complications and joint complications within 2 years postoperatively were compared with multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

HCV patients exhibited significantly increased rates of medical complications within 90 days compared to noninfected controls (all P < .01). At 2 years postoperatively, HCV patients also exhibited significantly higher risk of revision THA (odds ratio [OR] 1.81), dislocation (OR 2.06), mechanical complications (OR 1.40), periprosthetic fracture (OR 1.76), and prosthetic joint infection (PJI) (OR 1.79). However, treated HCV patients exhibited statistically comparable risk of all joint complications at 2 years postoperatively relative to controls (all P > .05). Compared to untreated HCV patients, treated HCV patients exhibited significantly lower risk of inpatient readmission within 90 days (OR 0.58) and PJI at 2 years postoperatively (OR 0.62).

CONCLUSION

HCV patients exhibit significantly increased risk of medical and joint complications following THA relative to controls, though prearthroplasty antiviral treatment mitigates complication risk. Treated HCV patients exhibited significantly lower risk of inpatient readmission and PJI compared to untreated HCV patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Benefits of Combining Physical Therapy with Occupational Therapy in Hip Arthroplasty

(1) Background: Hip arthroplasty (HA) is a surgery that replaces the damaged hip joint with an artificial implant called a hip prosthesis. The increase in life expectancy correlated with the population aging level, to which the increase in the number of prosthetic interventions among the young population is added, translates to the imperative need to analyze the quality of life beyond the immediate postoperative period. Strict adherence to an individualized rehabilitation program (IRP), and adapted to each patient, is followed by an improved quality of life. The main goal is the recovery of the patient with HA. This study was aimed to demonstrate that an IRP, represented by physical therapy associated with occupational therapy, improves the quality of life of patients with HA; (2) Methods: In this study, conducted between 2019 and 2021, 50 patients with HA were divided into two groups: study group-group A (25 subjects compliant with the IRP) and control group-group B (25 subjects, non-compliance with the IRP). To evaluate the two study groups, we monitored the evolution of the modified Harris hip score (mHHS) in both hips (arthroplasty hip (AH), contra lateral hip (CH)), for four months, respectively 30 days before the surgery (T0) and at 90 days after the surgery (T1); (3) Results: We notice significant differences in mHHS values at 90 days-T1 after surgery, both on AH in favor of subjects from group A vs. group B (p = 0.030) and on CH, where mHHS values were statistically higher in group A compared to group B (p < 0.001). The results of our study outline at T1 moment, both on the AH (p = 0.030) and on the CH (p < 0.001), the fact that mHHS values were statistically higher in patients included in group A compared to group B. In terms of the results for mHHS, comparing AH with CH, it is noted that the number of subjects who had a good or excellent mHHS result in group A versus group B is statistically significant in the case of CH (group A: 23 (92%) vs. group B: 11 (44%), p = 0.039); (4) Conclusions: The study reveals clear advantages of HA in both hips, both in subjects who complied with the IRP and those who did not comply; the higher therapeutic benefits of IRP are outlined at the level of CH compared to AH; in patients who comply with the IRP, the mHHS parameters that have improved in both CH and AH are pain, leaning, and shoes and socks activities; in addition, limping was reduced in CH.

Positive effect of colors and art in patient rooms on patient recovery after total hip or knee arthroplasty : A randomized controlled trial

Background

Environmental stimuli and well-being are considered to be significant factors in patients’ rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to describe the effect of colors and art in hospital rooms on patients’ recovery after total hip or knee arthroplasty.

Methods

We performed a prospective randomized, controlled study including 80 patients. The intervention group was randomized to colored patient rooms while the control group received medical care in conventional patient rooms. Data were collected preoperatively and postoperatively (3 and 6 days after operation). We measured mood, anxiety and depression, quality of life (QOL) and pain.

Results

Significantly better QOL summary scores were measured in the intervention group (6 days postoperative) compared to the control group (physical component summary score 37.1 ± 5.0 vs. 34.1 ± 6.7; p = 0.029 and mental component summary score 51.6 ± 6.6 vs. 47.2 ± 8.4; p = 0.015). Postoperatively, we found decreased total mood scores in both groups showing better results for the intervention group without significant differences (p = 0.353; p = 0.711).

Conclusion

The use of colors in hospital rooms is an effective intervention to improve well-being and to enhance faster rehabilitation. We could demonstrate a positive effect of colors on patients’ postoperative QOL.

Comparing the Effects of General Versus Regional Anesthesia on Postoperative Mortality in Total and Partial Hip Arthroplasty

Purpose

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) and partial hip arthroplasty (PHA) are performed in patients with hip joint dysfunction such as osteoarthritis or hip fractures and are associated with complications including mortality. There is a lack of evidence in the literature regarding whether the type of anesthesia (regional vs. general) is associated with increased postoperative mortality in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty. The present study compares early postoperative mortality between general or regional anesthesia administered to patients undergoing either THA or PHA.

Methods

A retrospective cohort was assembled using the 2015-2016 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Adult patients undergoing hip arthroplasty under general or regional anesthesia were included. Patients were excluded if receiving any other type of anesthesia, as well as having an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification score ≥ 4, preoperative acute renal failure, severe congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or ascites. Adjusted odds of 30 days all-cause postoperative mortality according to the type of anesthesia were estimated by fitting multiple logistic regression models that included potential confounders and effect modifiers.

Results

A total of 60,897 patients were included in the study. Given that the interaction between the type of anesthesia and the type of arthroplasty was statistically significant, separated models were fitted for each type of arthroplasty. There was no evidence of an association between type of anesthesia and postoperative mortality in hip arthroplasty patients regardless of whether the arthroplasty was partial (odds ratio {OR} = 0.85; confidence interval {CI} 0.59-1.22) or total (OR = 0.68; CI 0.43-1.08).

Conclusion

The overall early postoperative mortality in adult hip arthroplasty patients is low in the absence of risk factors such as severe CHF, COPD, ascites, acute renal failure, and ASA score of 4 or higher. Our findings suggest there is no association between the type of anesthesia received (general vs. regional) and early postoperative mortality rates in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty, regardless of type (total vs. partial).

Does Polycythemia Vera Increase Risk of Postoperative Complications Following Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty? A Retrospective Matched Control Cohort Study of 6932 Polycythemia Vera Patients

BACKGROUND

There is sparsity of data on outcomes following joint arthroplasty among polycythemia vera (PV) patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate postoperative outcomes following primary total knee (TKA) and hip (THA) arthroplasty among PV patients.

METHODS

A retrospective Medicare database review identified 6932 PV patients who underwent a primary total joint arthroplasty (4643 TKAs and 2289 THAs) from 2006 to 2013. A comparison of hospital length of stay, mortality, and the diagnosis of surgical site infections (SSIs), stroke, myocardial infarction, acute pulmonary embolism (PE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and other postoperative complications was made between PV patients undergoing TKA and THA and their respective matched control groups.

RESULTS

PV was significantly associated with increased rates of acute PE (2.3% vs 1.6%; odds ratio [OR] 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17-1.75), DVT (4.2% vs 3.6%; OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.20-1.61, P < .001), postoperative hematoma (0.6% vs 0.4%; OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.03-2.28), and SSI (4.5% vs 3.6%; OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.08-1.44, P = .002) following TKA. Among PV patients who underwent a primary THA, PV was significantly associated with increased rate of acute PE (1.9% vs 1.4%; OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.01-1.88, P = .035), DVT (3.5% vs 2.6%; OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.04-1.66, P = .035), postoperative hematoma (1.1% vs 0.6%; OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.22-2.80), and 1-year mortality (2.2% vs 1.6%; OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.06-1.89, P = .016).

CONCLUSION

PV was significantly associated with increased risk for DVT, PE, postoperative hematoma, SSI (TKA only), and 1-year mortality (THA only) following primary total joint arthroplasty.

Non-concentric Reduction Due to Entrapped Loose Bone Piece During a Single-stage Bilateral Total Hip Arthroplasty

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is the treatment of choice for Grade IV avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Dislocation following THA, although rare, is a known complication. Common causes of unsuccessful reduction include interposition of soft tissue, component loosening, malalignment, and inadequate muscle relaxation following anaesthesia. Here, we encountered a rare complication during a single-stage bilateral THA that resulted in a non-concentric reduction on the left side. The pathology was a loose bone piece, which possibly was an osteophyte that was broken.